Is a Christmas ham the showstopper at your dinner table? Step it up this holiday with these memorable Christmas ham recipes.
17 Festive Christmas Ham Recipes
Updated on Oct. 06, 2024
Ham isn’t just for Easter! This holiday season, switch things up a bit and serve one of these mouth-watering Christmas ham recipes. Here you’ll find rich hams glazed with citrus and spices, cranberry, apple cider and even root beer! Each and every recipe is guaranteed to please your family and look spectacular among your Christmas spread.
Round out your meal with our picks for the best Christmas side dishes, Christmas appetizers, Christmas cocktails and, of course, Christmas desserts!
Sugar-Glazed Ham
This old-fashioned ham glaze gives a pretty, golden brown coating—just like Grandma used to make. The mustard and vinegar complement the brown sugar which adds a tangy flavor to this glazed Christmas ham recipe. Be prepared to serve seconds! —Carol Strong Battle, Heathville, Virginia
1/17
2/17
Festive Ham Glaze
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My glaze dates back to shortly after my husband (of 23 years now) and I were married. I cooked a Christmas ham with this glaze—and I’ve done it that same way from then on.
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked ham: 196 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 749mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 21g protein.
Hosting a smaller celebration this year? Try this ham steak recipe that serves just 6.
3/17
Contest-Winning Holiday Glazed Ham
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to serve this juicy, mouthwatering Christmas ham recipe with mashed potatoes and colorful vegetables. The apricot glaze is delicious, and the pineapple and cloves assure a truly lovely presentation. —Diane Freeman, Falkland, British Columbia
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces ham: 248 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1774mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 32g protein.
4/17
Sweet-Spicy Ham
Total Time
3 hours
Servings
18 servings (2 cups glaze)
From the Recipe Creator:
I serve this Christmas ham every year. The sweet-spicy glaze turns a plain ham into a mouthwatering sensation. Everyone who tries it loves this juicy main dish! —Jessica Eymann, Watsonville, California
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces ham: 201 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 964mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 0 fiber), 22g protein.
5/17
Baked Ham with Pineapple
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first learned the technique for baked ham with pineapple for a themed dinner my husband and I hosted. Since it is widely known as the symbol of hospitality, pineapple was the star ingredient on our menu and on this lovely baked ham. —JoAnn Fox, Johnson City, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked ham: 219 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 924mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 17g protein.
6/17
Apricot-Glazed Ham
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Glaze a bone-in ham with apricot jam for a Christmas entree that’s beautiful and delicious. Any leftovers will make meal planning a breeze later in the week. —Galelah Dowell, Fairland, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked ham: 233 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 926mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 0 fiber), 17g protein.
7/17
Root Beer Glazed Ham
Total Time
2 hours 45 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a unique spin on the traditional glazed ham recipe, try this southern specialty where the secret ingredient is root beer! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounce cooked ham: 338 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 2097mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 0 fiber), 38g protein.
8/17
Orange-Glazed Ham
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious Christmas ham looked like a sparkling jewel on the table when my mom served it for our holiday dinner. The flavor of the spice rub penetrates through every tender slice. Even its enticing aroma while baking can’t match the wonderful taste. —Ruth Seitz, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounces cooked ham: 243 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1203mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 0 fiber), 34g protein.
9/17
Baked Ham with Cherry Sauce
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There’s nothing I’d rather serve for Christmas dinner or another special occasion than succulent baked ham. My recipe features a rub that adds flavor to the meat plus a delicious cherry sauce with a hint of almond. —Lavonn Bormuth, Westerville, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 339 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1198mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein.
10/17
Baked Ham with Honey-Chipotle Glaze
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Your Christmas celebration will be so simple to orchestrate with this sweet, smoky ham recipe at your fingertips. It feeds a crowd and the baked ham glaze tastes fantastic. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked ham with 1 tablespoon sauce: 270 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1234mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 0 fiber), 33g protein.
11/17
Honey-Glazed Ham
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Here’s an easy solution for feeding a large group. The simple honey ham is perfect for Christmas dinner, where time in the kitchen is as valuable as space in the oven.—Jacquie Stolz, Little Sioux, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked ham: 165 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 66mg cholesterol, 1348mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.
12/17
Cranberry Glazed Ham
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
That show-stopping entree you've been hoping for is right here, and it only takes five ingredients to make. The sweet and tangy cranberry glaze pairs beautifully with succulent ham. —Joni Peterson, Wichita, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces ham with 1 tablespoon sauce: 213 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 1485mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 26g protein.
13/17
Bourbon-Glazed Ham
Total Time
2 hours 45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Smoky and sweet flavors come through in every bite of this Kentucky-style Christmas ham. Since I found this recipe, it’s the only ham I make. —Sue Schiller, Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked ham: 301 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1200mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 0 fiber), 34g protein.
14/17
Baked Spiral Ham
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is my favorite spiral ham recipe. It will feed a crowd, or use what’s remaining in two recipes. No one groans about ham leftovers when these items are on the menu. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces ham: 195 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 93mg cholesterol, 1199mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein.
15/17
Apple Cider-Glazed Ham
Total Time
2 hours 45 min
Servings
10 servings (1 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
When I wanted to try something new with our holiday ham, I created this cider glaze. It’s slightly sweet but still has the spicy flavor my family craves. —Rebecca LaWare, Hilton, New York
Nutrition Facts:
6 ounces cooked ham: 261 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 877mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein.
16/17
Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This pineapple ham glaze is straightforward and simple—just what you’re looking for in a Christmas main dish. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked ham: 329 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 1425mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 0 fiber), 39g protein.
17/17
Maple-Peach Glazed Ham
Total Time
2 hours 5 min
Servings
16 servings (about 2 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my husband's favorite recipes. He makes it regularly for his group of friends on the weekends because it's so good and easy. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked ham with 2 tablespoons sauce: 294 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1040mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 0 fiber), 29g protein.
